Monitoring & Evaluation Masters

American’s online Graduate Certificate in Project Monitoring & Evaluation program provides students with the essential skills needed to design and implement program-based Monitoring and Evaluation and make a difference within the social impact sector. In less than one year, graduates will be able to communicate the importance of integrating impact analysis into the planning process and assess project performance. Hear what current students and alumni have to say about their experience in the program.

Along with the testimonials below, students have shared their professional experiences in the field and monitoring and evaluation program through blog posts which can be found here.

Student Testimonials

Even though I worked as a Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist before I received my Graduate Certificate in Project Evaluation, I didn’t feel like I had the credentials to stand up to the myriad of other evaluators in the field with much more experience. The hands-on practical exercises in each of the four courses gave me the confidence to articulate a theory of change, develop targeted questions for interviews, analyze data, and conduct an evaluation. After finishing the program, I felt more confident in all aspects of M&E. I regularly apply the concepts I learned in the course as I develop and review project proposals, terms of reference, and set up M&E systems. I also reference materials from the course in M&E training programs I deliver to staff.

The Graduate Certificate in Project Monitoring and Evaluation firmly established my career as an M&E Specialist. Having been in the development sector for 12 years, I found the curriculum to consist of both the well-established and the most up-to-date methodologies. The AU instructors are highly capable professionals with direct experience in the field of M&E and provide their valuable insights throughout the coursework. Thanks to the AU program in 2015-2016 I was able to lead project formulation processes, develop Performance Monitoring Plans, and to integrate custom evaluation designs into programmatic and project design for UNDP Afghanistan. In 2015-2016, I helped to generate over $350m in new programming that included complex joint UN agency programs and cross-border multi-agency projects.

The Online certificate in Project Monitoring and Evaluation at American University was an eye opener for me. It helped me discover my passion for quality assurance, and strengthened my inclination to evidence-based impact analysis. The online setting made it easier for working students to advance their education while keeping a full-time job. It also allowed them to gain wonderful insights from instructors and other classmates from various parts of the world. I highly recommend the program to anyone looking for a highly marketable professional skill.

The best thing about American University’s PME graduate certificate program was that I could participate while living in a village in Tanzania. Being able to apply what I was learning, immediately, to the work I was doing in the field made this one of the richest learning experiences I have had in my career. I loved how the online class discussions were set up to mine students’ experiences of these real-world applications, so that we could learn from each other, too. The professors brought a wealth of expertise to the program but were also kind and approachable. They were invested not only in our success as students in the program, but also in our development as future practitioners of M&E. Overall, I would highly recommend this program for people who do not want to stop working or relocate to get a high-quality, rigorous M&E education.

American University’s online Graduate Certificate in Project Monitoring and Evaluation surpassed all my expectations. In less than eight months, I obtained the necessary knowledge, skills, and experience to properly and effectively carry-out a real world evaluation. My success can be directly attributed to AU’s exceptional faculty and the phenomenal resources, which would include my great coursemates! By sharing their PME experiences, my coursemates added depth and richness to the PME graduate certificate course. The professional and personal connections that I formed with my peers became a positive unintended consequence, and also a motivating factor throughout the PME program. I have no doubt that the skills acquired in AU’s graduate certificate program will further advance me in my career goals.

“The online Graduate Certificate in Project Evaluation program has assisted my career in that it now provides a certification from an objective third-party observer. The course-work is evaluated and graded thus providing credibility to the student when standing before a potential employer.”